Last updated 16:34, Thursday, 17 July 2008

CUMBRIA is in line for £35 million to help improve rural life, it has been announced.

The Northwest Regional Development Agency revealed today that the county is likely to get a big share of a £75 million regional fund.

It will be used to improve the quality of life in the countryside, the competitiveness of farming and diversification of the rural economy.

The cash is part of the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE), which will deliver around £375 million to the North West between 2008 and 2013.

The cash will be delivered by a new organisation called Cumbria Partners and through a network of Leader groups as part of a community-led approach.

Two groups, North Cumbria (Solway, Borders and Eden); and South Cumbria (Fells and Dales), have already been approved and will start work straight away. Six million pounds will be allocated through the Cumbrian groups.

The county will also benefit from its share of an £18 million livestock programme to help farmers.